Converting a feeble Biscayne into a low-slung, serious street machine may seem like the culmination of a well-organized master plan. In fact, Todd Nelson of Land O' Lakes, Florida, had no "street sleek" plans for his first Chevy. Todd's stable of cars prior to this '65 Biscayne included a '70 Olds 442 and a '71 442 convertible. The plan for the Biscayne was a mild restification. A potent powerplant and 17-inch Torq-Thrust wheels were about the only modifications in the works.
The plan was actually nearing completion when Todd got the idea to go further with his project. How complete was it, you ask? Well Todd had just finished rubbing out the factory-correct paint job. He had all the trim and had even chromed the bumpers. Even Todd isn't sure what it was that caused him to stray from the original plan, but no one who lays eyes on the car would argue that he went awry.
Taking what was the budget model in Chevrolet's lineup of fullsize cars and transforming it into a lean, mean muscle machine took quite a bit of work. From the factory, Todd's Biscayne was void of nearly all options. The only box checked when this car was built was the one for a Powerglide transmission. Other than the luxury of an automatic the car was ordered bare bones, with heater and radio delete. The friend Todd bought the car from actually had plans to build a nostalgia drag car out of the Biscayne.
The project began, like many, with the chassis. Though the frame wasn't modified, it was cleaned up before installing a host of components designed to make the car not only handle and perform better, but look better to boot. Starting with the front, the factory spindles were trashed in favor of 2-inch dropped spindles and power disc brakes. The steering system was converted to power assist, which makes it much easier to steer this behemoth.
Moving to the back, the rearend was swapped out for a '68 12-bolt with 4.56:1 gears and Positraction. Delco shocks at all four corners smooth out the ride.
Though he already had 17-inch Torq-Thrust wheels for the project, Todd decided the new direction his car was heading deserved impressive rolling stock. Looks befitting such a street machine come in the form of newly available, huge Torq-Thrust wheels (18x8 front/20x10 rear). Equally aggressive Yokohama tires (245/40-18 front and 275/35-20 rear) complemented the aggressive wheel package.
The new direction gave way to new thinking in the power department. The engine is a stout 454 big-block bored out to 468 ci. Concealed under a GlassTek cowl hood, the engine is complemented with a March pulley set, Howe radiator, Cool Flex chromed cooling hoses, and an assortment of polished goodies.
Inside, Todd pulled from his knowledge of the Buick line (he is the sales manager of the local Buick dealer) to find components that worked well with the car's theme. The seats, center console, and tilt column were borrowed from a burnt '98 Riviera. The modified look is accented with carbon-fiber overlays on the dash and a console from St. Petersburg, Florida-based Gemico, Inc.
Since the exterior was already finished, a complete repaint was out of the question. Todd did, however, opt to drastically change the looks by topping the car in high-gloss PPG black. He then added a few subtle graphics reminiscent of early GM trim styling.
Preparing for the '99 Super Chevy Show at Gainesville, Todd and a crew of his best friends spend nearly six days completing the car. The effort was immediately recognized with a couple of awards-and, of course, a photo shoot with Super Chevy magazine.